The Arch by Gareth Writer-Davies

must have brought forth a gasp
(and a round of applause)

when the architect
kicked away the supports

the angled stones
taking their own weight

floating, above the spectators
who had never imagined such a thing

under an arch
built to the old method, is where I sit

translating
the language of bees

I would like to share
the noble practicality of the mason

buy him a beer
call him brother

words
are the folly of an idle man

an arch
another hard days work

meaning
the bond of the keystone

Gareth Writer-Davies was Commended in the Prole Laureate Competition in 2015, Specially Commended in the Welsh Poetry Competition and Highly Commended in the Sherborne Open Poetry Competition. Shortlisted for the Bridport Prize and the Erbacce Prize in 2014, Highly Commended, Geoff Stevens Memorial Prize in 2013 and 2012. His pamphlet “Bodies”, was published in 2015 through Indigo Dreams. http://www.indigodreamsbookshop.com/gareth-writer-davies/4587920255